partscargo

To address fitment concerns for '18 model year owners, there may be a difference in the lower left fitting, and a specific part (#23171715) might be needed to resolve the issue.

Here is a list of items you will need for the radiator replacement:

1. The new thicker radiator: GM part# 84524653. It can be purchased online for around $305 plus shipping and handling.
2. Sockets in sizes 7mm, 8mm, 10mm, and 13mm.
3. A hook-pick tool to remove one of the coolant lines.
4. A large plier, like an alligator plier, to loosen lines.
5. Dykes or similar tool to cut/trim one of the radiator mounts.
6. Approximately 1-2 gallons of DEXCOOL antifreeze and distilled water. You may also opt for a pre-mixed 50/50 antifreeze and water solution, but it's worth noting that Corvettes do not come with a 50/50 mix from the factory.

Bill Dearborn

Since Corvette come with a 60/40 water/coolant ratio using a 50/50 ratio would offset some of the added cooling capacity of the thicker radiator. After going to the bother of changing radiators why give up some of the increased cooling capacity by using the wrong ratio of water to coolant? If the cooling system is completely flushed until any drained liquid is clear then it will take 5 quarts of coolant and 7.7 quarts of water to fill the cooling system. Don't forget when the system is flushed there will always be a couple of quarts that are held in the engine block and heater.

Bill

rastolpho

Just got this installed on my ‘14 A6 Base.

Gotta say, easier said than done, specially when doing it on your own.

I was already changing the old 500W fan due to fan controller issue so decided to get as many things changed as possible, new serpentine tensioner since old one was leaking, new belt, new Tstat, new radiator lines.

Other than the removal and installation of this new radiator, it was just time consuming but I’d say simple enough.

I did run into one thing was hoping for some suggestions.

The radiator I got shipped to me had both the 2 top tabs folded in. I didn’t want to possibly break anything and left them folded, it still slid under in place without an issue.

Since the radiator is thicker, the shroud sits a bit more forward than before and.. due to those tabs being folded, the 2 top bolts don’t reach all the way to where the older radiator was bolted down. No problem with the side bolts.

Started searching to see if I’d find the same bolts but longer so the shroud isn’t attached by just 2 bolts but couldn’t find anything. I was actually able to push hard enough on the shroud so the bolt would reach, but that raised the other end of the shroud high enough so when you close the hood it’s sort of on the way and I wasn’t too comfortable leaving it like that.

Any thoughts on what I should do? I’d love to find some longer version of these fender bolts, or would it be fine with just the 2 on each side of the radiator? Not wanting to try to pry open those 2 top tabs on the radiator and doing some sort of damage..

If anyone knows which bolts I could use, I’d appreciate it! I’d say if they’re 40mm in length it would be enough to reach.

Thanks everyone!

badhabit_wb

A picture would help. I swapped mine out but it's been several years. I don't remember anything not fitting.

rastolpho

I’ll take a picture as soon as I can! But in short, since the 2 top tabs are bent inward, the 2 bolts on the top of the shroud don’t reach where they used to since the new radiator is thicker (why GM added those tabs to be bolted directly to the radiator).

badhabit_wb

It sounds like it isn't seated in the frame correctly.

rastolpho

I triple checked all the connections and plugs to make sure of that. Because of that half inch thicker compared to my old radiator, that’s the distance it sits forward and it’s not flush to the frame like the older thinner radiator was.

I’m assuming GM knew that and added the tabs to bolt directly to it, easiest “fix”. So if the tabs were in place, it would be flush to them.

Tried to take 2 pictures to show here. One thing to note also is the shroud is accurately positioned over the vent hood.

Ive attached 2 pictures to try to show. You can see on the second picture the “half inch gap due to increased thickness of the radiator”. The bent inward radiator tab would be flush against shroud plastic and be able to bolt through.

badhabit_wb

right side
That might be as close as you'll get. Here are photos of mine.

Left side. The edge is under the upper tab even though it looks like it's sticking out because of the camera angle.

rastolpho

Thanks for sharing!

So on your last picture, the bolt that goes through that shroud goes into the radiator tab correct?

That’s the tab mine came folded in from the place I got it from. Both tabs. Not sure why they did that but I didn’t touch it. It lines up directly with the thread behind where you bolt in with the old radiator which is on the car rather than the radiator itself. Unfortunately it’s too far for the bolts to reach.

So leave with no bolts, try to find some longer ones, or unbend the radiator tabs (that might require some force..)

badhabit_wb

It's screwed in for sure. It's snug so it must be in the tab you're talking about.

rastolpho

This is what I meant about the tabs being folded in. Almost impossible to try to fold them back unless I dismantle the whole thing again…

X25

That doesn't look like a "feature", but rather perhaps the package was squished, etc? I'd heat it up a bit, and then slowly fix them back to their place, or you could ask for replacement in the beginning.

rastolpho

The package looked fine on arrival, although a bit banged up, it had cushion on both ends. It also looks like it was done "on purpose" and not that it was "smashed in by accident" since both sides look almost identical.

Also no damage to either tab, just bent in place.

I didn't think it was a big deal when I got it, thought the old screws would reach where the old radiator hooked up to and didn't want to deal with having to ship the item back, receive another, etc..

I do have a heat gun, although I'd rather see if I could find a longer bolt to go straight into the old radiator thread. Either way, it would be quite well secure...

badhabit_wb

I think the longer bolt would probably be the best idea

rastolpho

That's what I sort of gravitated towards.. It would be bolted to the frame on top rather than on the radiator, and to the radiator normally from the sides, like the old radiator was.

Only issue I'm having is finding these bolts.. Been trying to find what the thread size is, tried a few bolts I have here but they don't work.. Don't want to span the bracket...

Bill Dearborn

Take the bolt to your local Fastenal store and see if they have something that will work.

Bill

rastolpho

That's the plan for today at a local shop.. We'll see if they have anything..

I found the bolt to be a M4.2 x 1.41 thread size. The ones used for the shroud are 30mm. So hoping to find a 35mm, that should be able to reach the locking thread..

If not, I found a few options online like this: https://askautosupply.ca/products/he...asher-diameter

rastolpho

As sure as my luck goes, started filling up with coolant, hear a drip.. passenger side of the radiator is leaking..

So here I go with the disassembly..

Contacted the place who sold me the part for an exchange.

Hopefully the new radiator comes with the tabs already up in place. If not, I’ll see if I can bend them prior to installing so I don’t deal with this bolt issue.

Here goes my hope to driving the car this weekend!

hiltsy855

Wow, that sucks! I installed a '19 radiator in my '16 last week. The thicker radiator with the integrated top mounting tabs definitely pushes the hood duct rearward by about a 1/2". Now the top flange of the duct doesn't align perfectly with the opening in the hood. I wonder if there is a different (shorter) duct for '19 models?

rastolpho

Interesting to know! I didn't fully close the hood but just "laid it back" flat over the engine.

I would think due to that thicker radiator the hood duct would be moved backwards a bit but I don't think that's a big issue..

Checking out on parts website for a 2019 Z06 and that specific part, it comes up as 84872137 which is listed for 2014-2019 all Corvette Models (well, expect the ZR1).

So maybe someone with a Z06 can see how theirs is aligned.